Skin care

6 Best Skin Brightening Products -- and the 4 Worst

If radiant skin is your goal, see which products will get you there (and which ones won't get you past the starting line)

March 16, 2010 | by Jane Chung | 41 COMMENTS

The Worst: No. 4: Ambi Fade Cream, $4.99 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 6.8*
Why: "I have now given up on this fade cream," says one reader who saw "little to no results" after several months of use. "This cream did absolutely nothing for the hyper-pigmentation on my cheeks," says another reader. "I put on my first application as instructed and hours later my face starting burning and my face was red completely," another reader tells us. Readers say that they "broke out horribly" and it "didn't lighten anything to boot!" Plus, it feels "greasy" and "you have to use additional moisturizer because you only use it on affected areas," they complain.

Agree? Disagree? Write your review here.

*At time of publication

SEE NEXT PAGE: No. 3: Bremenn Research Labs Lumedia Facial Brightener, $80

2 of 11

products mentioned

Ambi Fade Cream

6.6

Bremenn Research Labs Lumedia Facial Brightener

5.7

Barielle Advanced Formula Porcelain Skin Brightening...

5.7

Peter Thomas Roth Potent Botanical Skin Brightening...

4.5

Shiseido WHITE LUCENT Brightening Moisturizing Cream

7.0

Shiseido White Lucent Concentrated Brightening Serum

8.3

Avon ANEW LUMINOSITY ULTRA Advanced Skin Brightener...

8.1

Aveeno Skin Brightening Daily Treatment with SPF

8.9

Caudalie Vinoperfect Radiance Serum

8.2

Obagi Nu-Derm Clear

9.0

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I agree and disagree with some of the products. I would love to try Avon's Anew; Avon rarely lets me down.

by GigiSD Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 10:06PM Report as inappropriate

Never tried but the good reviews for avon surprised me. Will keep in mind as i may need in the future

by Dee Thursday, May 9, 2013 at 05:02PM Report as inappropriate

Skin care is so personal, but sometimes it's nice to cut to the chase and not waste time on fringe products

by kimberly_chandler_7366 Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 10:17PM Report as inappropriate

Some are kind of expensive.

by Lili04 Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 11:47PM Report as inappropriate

what about specific beauty "skin brightening serum" ? I like that product

by socialated Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 10:38PM Report as inappropriate

a lot of these are really expensive!

by Chris213 Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 06:33AM Report as inappropriate

I agree with the "good" and "bad" products. One little-known wonder is Pond's "Clarant" moisturizer. It uses Niacinamide--completely healthy for skin--to clear away brown spots. The fragrance is fresh and most pleasant, and the texture is beautifully lightweight. I used it inconsistently under makeup for two weeks (for shame, I know). My brown spots disappeared. Clinique and other products had irritated my skin, but my complexion glows with Ponds.

by GigiSD Wednesday, February 27, 2013 at 12:59AM Report as inappropriate

So thankful for this article...just wish half of them were in my budget range! I am going cray cray trying to find the right skin care for my skin.

by farrah11 Tuesday, January 29, 2013 at 09:57AM Report as inappropriate

Try Mela D pigment control from La Rochay....within two weeks you'll see a major difference.

by Alexx997 Saturday, January 19, 2013 at 06:18AM Report as inappropriate

i would love to try these

by LittleBunny Sunday, January 13, 2013 at 05:52PM Report as inappropriate

Ambi not good

by EricaF123 Friday, December 28, 2012 at 05:19PM Report as inappropriate

I had bought the ambi fade cream, so i guess now i have to take it back.

by nicky22 Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 02:21PM Report as inappropriate

Hi guys, good evening to you all. I was thinking of using Ivory Capsules. I read an article somewhere that its not safe. Anyone know something about that? Please!!

by Darkie Monday, November 12, 2012 at 12:27PM Report as inappropriate

I just use a cream called Monsia whitening cream, I read that vitamin C was a must in those creams so I got that one online. Working great so far :) Before that I used to mix lemon and tomato juice and put it on my face for like 15mins a day, I did that for like 6 WEEKS and nothing changed. Guess creams are better than natural remedies once in a while!

by mary_jacobs Thursday, October 18, 2012 at 04:13PM Report as inappropriate

I have tried ambi fade cream before & It was a disaster. I understand why it is in the list of worst skin brightening creams. I will never be using ambi cream again.

by Lillium_Stargaz Sunday, October 14, 2012 at 09:06AM Report as inappropriate

I have had tried a different product from avon which made my skin very oily but I guess I'll try the one listed here.

by komal_gurjar Monday, September 17, 2012 at 01:36AM Report as inappropriate

Thanks for this. I had tried a lot of lightening cream or solution brands such as Philosophy, Bremenn, Barrielle, Obagi Nu Derm 4, Clinique, Lancome and I even went for IPL for many sessions, but up to this years, I still have brown spots on my cheeks. I don't now now, what else I am gonna use. I may try buying Shesheido even it's quite expensive, maybe someday, I can find a cream that help clarify these imperfection my cheeks and acne scars.

by pinksherry908 Sunday, September 2, 2012 at 01:44PM Report as inappropriate

Never purchase a Bremenn product. I always find them on the clearance shelves because they do not work and only some poor soul will be duped into purchasing them. It is clear that Shiseido is the winner here.

by hiddenexpose Wednesday, August 29, 2012 at 07:43PM Report as inappropriate

Wow thanks for this, I was wondering what other ones worked aside from the Monsia whitening cream I have. Don't get me wrong, it's working like a charm but a girl can wonder about alternatives, lol.

by laura_wolfhart Sunday, August 19, 2012 at 01:49PM Report as inappropriate

I was surprised of how well it performs since the price is very affordable. I'll keep this in mind in case I might send you something in the future (not sure when, though!)

by DesireeJames Wednesday, July 18, 2012 at 06:24PM Report as inappropriate

I'm so glad they have these review so i woul dnot wate my money for the product don't even work

by nikkiq Friday, April 13, 2012 at 07:04PM Report as inappropriate

So happy to read this article!I bought the- CAUDALIE VINOPERFECT RADIANCE SERUM. So we will see how it works!

by Danielle2626 Monday, April 2, 2012 at 10:03PM Report as inappropriate

This is a great article! I was going to buy the Peter Thomas Roth Brightning gel but after looking at this I have decided differently. Now I know which ones to buy!

by Brandi27 Sunday, April 1, 2012 at 09:14AM Report as inappropriate

Thank you for breaking these products down.

by powerwoman033 Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 09:09PM Report as inappropriate

have have uneven skin tone and acne scar, so I've used half of the products listed plus others not on the list. I haven't seen any real results expect for Clinique Even Better Dark Spot Corrector. It's pricy but it did lighten my acne scars. I'm using Philosophy miracle Dark spot corrector (i think that's the whole name) And It's getting there. Hope i can review that soon.

by Minibear Thursday, January 5, 2012 at 02:45PM Report as inappropriate

I live near the coast and I know many, many women of all ages who should read this article, me included! Great price points all the way around.

by islands4me Wednesday, December 28, 2011 at 07:58AM Report as inappropriate

I might try Obagi. I've head good things about it also.

by grass Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 11:02PM Report as inappropriate

want to try these

by LittleBunny Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 02:10PM Report as inappropriate

NICE website... i learn how to care my skin..

by jheleigh Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 02:27AM Report as inappropriate

omg I hate my even skin tone I'm trying to find the one for me and I was going to the "Ambi" collection and I'm so happy that I did not do that yah!

by doglova Sunday, May 29, 2011 at 09:34AM Report as inappropriate

Majority of women in Asian countries are crazy about even, bright and fair skin tone, so I would advice Asian brands for these purposes (like Shiseido, Missha, Rohto Hadalabu). Kojic acid is great natural skin brightener and a lot of Asian skincare products contain it. They're a bit pricey, but very effective. American brand that I absolutely love for evening skin tone is Elizabeth Arden, Visible Whitening and White Glove Extreme (and, unfortunately, these series are being sold only in Asia as well, how unfair! :( but you can always use something like Amazon or eBay). Don't be scared by the word "whitening", they may lighten the skin tone a bit (which is not bad at all in my opinion) but they're excellent in making skin really beautiful and flawless.

by datura Saturday, May 14, 2011 at 11:33AM Report as inappropriate

I never thought about using any skin brighteners, but after my second pregnancy I found a brown spot develop on my cheek. I usually stick to Origins but didn't see it listed here. The Avon Anew sounds like it could work well with my skin and my budget.

by Madrigaliv81 Tuesday, May 3, 2011 at 02:55PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try the Aveeno now!

by volta Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 03:10AM Report as inappropriate

I've never tried any skin brighteners but I think I'm going to now...

by RoleModel Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 04:31PM Report as inappropriate

I want to try the Avon Anew Luminosity Ultra Advanced Skin Brightener. Sounds effective!

by MidnightCowgirl Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 07:41AM Report as inappropriate

As I'm getting older, I notice uneven skin tone. Thanks for the helpful information for me to consider.

by muellsrus Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 05:07PM Report as inappropriate

I haven't tried any face brightener but thinking I should give this a try.

by msSaroun Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 01:23PM Report as inappropriate

Not mentioned in this article is RACCO Cosmetics products, that are great for dark spot treatment, and skincare.

by renata_dors_berto Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 12:42PM Report as inappropriate

I'm obsessed with skin brighteners so I was glad to see this article

by LittleBunny Wednesday, February 16, 2011 at 11:00AM Report as inappropriate

It was not just one person who said that the product from Peter Thomas was not good, quite a few people from the website said it as bad. Any way, I am really glad to see some affordable options on this list. Good article!

by pynkNymphette Sunday, February 13, 2011 at 07:58PM Report as inappropriate

Whoever wrote this is a fool. Peter Thomas Roth is a genius and his products are fantastic. His Matteifying Gel is from the gods.

by mintyowl Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at 02:06PM Report as inappropriate

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